informal introduction

a couple of you already know...

this gal

she's truly a gem.

I can't honestly call this an informal introduction today because honestly,

 I've had a formal introduction with this gal.

many of them.

we actually grew up together.

she was a cheerleader, i was the sportygirl.

we were acquaintances - yes, i would say just acquaintances.

we didn't run the same "circles".

i had a circle of about 4 gals...

she had a a huge circle of boys and girls... lots of friends.

she was also in choir.

all i did was play sports... it kept me out of trouble.

i'm sure i made fun of her for being a cheerleader as i did all of them... i was just mean like that back then.

i was jealous of her confidence in knowing who she was and

i wished i had an ounce of as much spunk and energy as she did.

she'd do cartwheels and back handsprings down the court - cheering her little heart out...

i'm sure this is where i would roll my eyes again... it's one of the things i did best.

she was smart and driven.

i survived in school and kept my grades up just enough so i could get my weekly-review sheet signed off by teachers and continue playing sports...  

she ended up graduating a year early and going on to college.

i graduated a semester early and escaped as soon as i could to who knows where for who knows why...

dragging my feet the entire way.

years later -
we reconnected on face book.

then we started to read each other's blogs.

i go to her's
when i need a glimmer of nostalgia
or a funny story with
the silly things her adoreable children say.

she has deep thoughts and they challenge me to think again about something i might have already thought i had figured out.

she stops by here and leaves me super sweet comments and we tease back and forth about our decorating handicaps.

she is fun.

she is a blessing.

through the last couple years i've come to find out we had a lot more in common than i realized.

Now,

we were both stay-at-home mamas, wives and

women needing daily encouragement and inspiration.

so here we are today.

she's got two little angels

and i've got my two little rascals

we both strive daily to be

women of substance,

encourage our husbands,

and keep our homely abode picked up and ready to rock-n-roll.

Krista,
you've been such a blessing these past couple years since we've reconnected.

i'm so thankful to call you my friend.

and these.

are.

for.

you.

source

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Have a Sun Shiny day!

informal introduction.

CrAFtINg iN tHE raIn

(Yes that title is to be sung to the tune of "singing in the rain" IF you're wondering. :)

It's a raining day here in Idaho!

&

I.

Am.

Loving it!!!!

I've confessed before that Fall is my favorite season.

In the Fal,l there are those sunny days when it is gorgeous out and

you can't wait to get outside and

play in those crunchy leaves!

Then there are other days that you are excited to stay in all day and

light a nice pumpkin scented candle,

put on a pot of yummy soup and set the kiddo up with his paints

and craft your little heart away all afternoon.

But before I get out all that stuff -

I've got to introduce...

Annikke!

Annikke is the mom to 3 adorable kiddos - Spirit, Lefty and lil Lady Bug

and wifey to Mr. Man!

She is super mom!

She has a super cute blog called:

Mom is in the Fishbowl

(Don't you just love the name? Fits me on a daily basis!)

She works and keeps the three kids, hubby

and the house

right.

on.

track.

I adore reading her

Friday Recipe

like

here and here,

along with her

Meal Planning

like

this one and this one .

She shares her lessons learned about raising kids,

funny stories about her kids and things they say and do

& the challenges with being a working mama.

All the while, it is all super entertaining!

In the spring she did a fabulous Flip Flop Swap

(that honestly it was so genius my husband was like - too bad that wasn't your idea - need to thump him more often)

and I loved her

letter to

the man who borrowed her pen.

I died.

Hilarious!

The whole time I was picturing her face looking at his items and then glancing to him and then her pen...

thinking, Dear Lord - please don't let him try and give that pen back to me...

Too funny!

So onward to good times Miss Annikke!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to our "home".

So glad you were able to come and join me today.

First,

before we start crafting -

I was thinking you and I should go and do some

twirlin' in the rain!

I don't care if you are only wearing your flip-flops!

DO IT!

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Okay! Back in the house!

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

So. First we definitely need something warm to drink...

Want some tea?

I happen to adore! Chai Tea.

Wanna try some?

Perfect.

I hope you'll love it.

Since I'm on a diet and have been trying to avoid sugar -

I actually drink my chai tea just plain.

I love the spicy deliciousness of it.

It tastes like Christmas.

Christmas tastes good!

~~~~~~~~~~

Here we go.

I got an idea when I opened that scatter brained tea drawer...

MAN! It needs organized! Let's see - I have this old tin - coincidentally it is an old Christmas tin.

Ha!

I think I will totally paint it up cute and put my tea in it!

What'cha think?

Cool!

Let's do it!

First, I'm going to spray paint it white...

Okay.

While that dries let's eat tomato on toast.... yummmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!

These are tomatoes from the garden. Even though I am on a diet, not usually eating wheat or fats for that matter - you gotta get in at least one of these... right?

thank goodness it is nap time -Now,

I think I'll use a pencil for a little designage...

(yes, I just made-up that word)

now paint time...

and

I think I will give it some bumps and bruises to make it look "aged", cover it in a clear coating. organize, and

Walah! tea for two...me & you.

Well - the monster is awake.

Annikke,

I just wanted to say that I appreciated you coming to visit me today

and every time you get a chance.

I love your blog

& I love hearing from you - you have the sweetest comments and great feedback.

I believe we could be

kindred spirits.

&

if you ever make it to

Idaho

- let me know...

I think we could probably find some trouble to get into.

Especially if we bring Misty!

*wink*

God Bless you and yours.

♥Hearts♥

P.S. Thanks to all of you for dropping by today

& don't forget

Wednesdays are "informal introduction day"

and the only way for me to pick you is if I know you are out there -

So leave me a comment - I'd love to know who is stopping by.

x0x0

an informal introduction.

i have been thinking for a while about all of you.

you who come by my little ole blog and read about our daily events.

you put up with my crazy attempt to take "good" photos of my kids.

y'all listen to me ramble on and on about caterpillars wearing tulle

and my huge obsession for Grey's Anatomy and Gilmore Girls.

Let it be known that

you make my heart

so this is the post where i invite one of my dedicated blog readers to have coffee with me.

so without any further ado...

will Carolyn, please come down!

you're the next contestant (and first!) on

an informal introduction!

(this is where Carolyn puts her hands over her mouth and jumps up excited! as she didn't even know that I knew... she existed)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hi Carolyn!

come on in!

((hug))

i'm so glad you could make it today...

these are for you.
aren't they gorgeous? i just love how sunflowers encourage autumn so beautifully.

i'm sure they will look fabulous in your home.

Now,

don't mind daphnie, she's friendly

pauly and william... say hello to Carolyn ~

boys.

you two play nice over there while we visit

-k-

i'm sorry that Ben is going to miss you - he is at work, of course.

maybe you two will meet some other day...

Carolyn, please take a seat here with me...

now, would you like some coffee?

i actually can whip up some tea in just seconds if you prefer.

okay...

great.

cream? sugar?

and how about a blueberry scone?

source

let me get us a couple of plates, here.

okay, now.

let's visit.

~

OF COURSE I know you exist!

The Lady knows all *wink*

(I have a very dependable source consisting of sweet sister and all but shhhhhh... I won't tell Carolyn if you won't!!)

I know that you are so sweet to take a few minutes out of your day.

each day.

to come here and visit me.

I know that I am insanely jealous that you live so close to my sister -

I know! She is a doll.

I love her so.

I know that you, Carolyn, have made my sister and her family feel more at home than

just about anything or anyone since they've moved so far away from all of us.

and I

thank you,

from the bottom of my heart.

I know that you have a beautiful home.

impeccable taste.

you love your family

and they love you right back.


you ♥love♥ twink lights.

oooh! let me show you mine, my hubster put them up on my back patio for me.

dreamy, huh.

well, I wanted to send home something with you for Ed and the boys...

hope they enjoy them :)

(do you think they'll understand that they aren't real? ahhhh...Men! they're so serious when it comes to food :)

and this,

my dear,

is all.

for.

you.

Enjoy! & Thanks again, so much for coming today.

I hope we can get together again real soon. *wink

God Bless you and yours.
x♥x♥ ~ The Lady of the House

P.S. ~ Stay tuned all my love-bug-readers!

You might be my date next time on

an informal introduction.

~~~~~~~~
Psssst! (but really the only way for me to know that you're out there... is to leave me a comment... so don't forget, now!)